Casement locking mechanism



April 5, 1933. I, w. LITCHFIELD 1,905,921

CASEMENT LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aprii 25 19330 a. W. LITCHFIELD CASEMENT LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 21, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED. STATES isAAc w. LITCHFIELD, or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T IBEMIS rnnus'rnrns;

. INCORPORATED, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AOORPORATION OF DELAWARE. i

CASEMENT LocKIiv MECHANISM I Application filed November 21, 193( Serial No. 497,187.

This invention .relates to an improved regulating and locking means fora swinging closure andis particularly adapted to operate and positively to look a swinging casement or French window. The present invention particularly relates to a regulator of the type having a swinging lever connected to the window sill or ledge and having a sliding engagement with a guiding means upon the swinging window sash.

More particularly the present invention provides a simple inexpensive and effective regulator of this type which not only is adapted to lock the window sash in a plurality of open positions by a simple movement of the regulator handle whichis connected to the lever but also is adapted positively to lock the. window in its closed position, thus preventing leakage of cold air into the interior of the building and substantially sealing the window against objectionable moisture penetration.

Preferably this novel locking meansis associated with the swinging lever and its control handle is arranged so that one movement of the lever is effective .in releasing the window from one "of its opened positions while another simple movement of the lever is effective in causing "the positive locking of the window in its closed position.v To

permit ithis desirable result I vpreferably arrange the lever so that it has a substantially longitudinal or endwise movement in relation to its pivotal connection to the'window'sill. Accordingly the lever handle can be actuatedto cause the endwise movement of the lever when such a movement is permitted by the guiding and locking means associated with the outer end of the lever and with the window, this means being arranged to permit such a longitudinal movement of the leverwhen the window is substantially in its closed position. .Under these conditions I preferably provide. locking means to engagea part carried by the lever when it is longitudinally moved positively to lock the same against swinging movement and accordingly to lock thewindow in its closed position.

Preferably the locking means is provided position for holding a window with a tapered or inclined surface tojp'rO-v vide a wedge or cam-like effect which may be effective in causing the bringing of the swinging closure, casement or window sash into firm engagement with the outer face-of the abutting frame. i

The latching means for holding the window in desired. open position is preferably provided with locking block, whichpro sents a wedging action in latching position to hold the window securely .and positively, but to allow release readily when the position of the window is to be changed, the wedging action preventing rattling or swinging of the window. The particularconstruction is further arranged to. be shielded so that ice'or rain will not affect the opera: tion of the device. a

The handle for operatingthe device may be so constructed as to permit operation from withinman inside screen, whereby the, screen may remain always in position, the device beingconstructed'to allow a tight fit for the screen, so that there are no openings or slots where flies or the like may enter. The device is further constructed to have no detachable parts which might be misplaced,-

and thereby prevent further operation of the device. The mechanism consists of a few parts, all of which are connected together, providing a simple, easily operated, andeasily attached structure. I

Inthe drawings: 7 p v F 'g. 1 is an elevational view showing-one modification of my invention attached to a casement window H V n Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device attached to the window; x

Fig. 3 is a detail of the locking mechanism and the pivotal construction for-the'lever;

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 4.&,of Fig. 2 showing a second locking mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational'view at right anglesto the line '44 showing the locking mechanism; f. Fig. 6 is a section along the line.6-6 of Fig. 2 showing the mechanism in retaining in any de,

sired location; I y i Fig. 7 1s a section similar to Fig. 3 show- PATENT OFFICE ing the mechanism out of retaining position; Fig. 8 is a view of the mechanism of Figs. 6 and 7 as it appears looking upward, showing the end construction to permit locking of the window in closed position; F Fig. 9 is a section along the-line '99 of FighO is an elevational view of the folding handle construction on the lever;

Fig. l1 is a plan View of the handle construction in partially folded position;

Fig. 12 is a View corresponding to Fig. 2 showing a modification of my invention; and

Fig. 13 is a section along the line 13-13 of Fig. 12. p

The device of my invention is shown in Fig.1 as attached to a pair of casement or swinging windows, that is the type of window which is hingedly mounted along one vertical edge and swingsoutwardly to open.

The lever 1 which operates the retaining structure for holding-the casement 2 in adjusted position as well as being the operative element for locking the window closed, is pivotally mounted on the Window sill or frame 3 by a base plate 4 having a pivot 5 (Fig. 3) attached thereto. The opposite end of the lever slidably engages the easement or sash 2 by means of a block or slider 6 (Fig. 6) which is pivotally mounted on the up r side of the lever and moves longitudina 1y along a slide and retaining member or stop bar 7, which is attached horizontally along the base'portion of the casement or sash 2, the block presenting a surface of considerable area to take the thrust from the lever as the window is swung on its hinges. The construction is such that a rocking movement of the lever in a vertical plane, and then a swinging movement in a horizontal plane is necessarylto open and close the Window, and a sliding movement longitudinally of the. lever-is necessary to lock the window in closed position, the connection at the baseplate being constructed to permit these movements. The base plate 4 is mounted upon the sill or frame by a group of screws-9 extending through projecting portions 10 of-the plate. The center of the plate has a projecting boss 11- (Fig. 9) which acts as .a fulcrum for the rocking of thenlever. The center of the boss is provided with a threaded hole into which thepivotpin 5 is inserted, this pin having a surface which engages with a cover plate 12 for the pivotal connection and holds said plateinposition as shown in Fig. 9. The cover. plate for concealing the pivotal construction, is substantially inverted cup-shape,-and pivots around th in 5, cut away portions 13 on each side of the plate permitting the lever 1 to extend therethrough, the cut out portions being of a sizeto permit rocking movement of the lever. The lever is'providedwith 'a'longitudinal slot 14, which engages the pivot pin 5, permitting swinging movement of the lever, as well as longitudinal movement thereof. When this construction is used with a screen, the pivotal structure is mounted on the sill or ledge in theplane ofthe screen. This permits the frame of the screen to engage tightly about the cover plate in order that no open spaces will be left where flies majyenterg The slide or stop bar 7 and'block'o'r slider 6 construction is arranged to hold the window in'open position, and also to permit longitudinalrsliding movement of the lever in locking the window in closed position. The slide (F igs.- 6, 7 and 8) is constructed to have a'rectangular cross-section,' one side 16 of which is secured to the cases ment, and a second side 17 at the lower edge of the side 16 and. atv right angles thereto is provided-with a plurality .of evenly spaced notches 18, the spaces between the notches'being in effect lugs, engageable with spaced wedge-shaped projecting portions 19 onthe block 6." It will be apparent in Fig. 8 in the clot-dash lines that the notches 18 are of a somewhat different spacing than the projections 19, providing a more rigid connection between the block and slidedue to. the wedging action of the projections. In this construction the notches maybe somewhat larger than the projections, to permit more ready receptionof the projections, but retaining a construction which will prevent rattling of swinging of tllG'WlllClOW in retaining position. A third side 20'1of the slide extends parallel to theside 16,-and is held in position by a fourth side 21 connecting the upper edges of sides 16 and 20. The side 20 acts as a backing for the block'6 as in Figs. 6 and 7 to hold the projections 19 in engagement'with the notches 18, and also as ashield to prevent ice and snow from getting onto the block to prevent its operation. A spring 22Wl'li0h rests-in a hole in the bloclr6' presses outwardly on a pin 23, engaging the surface of the side 21 of the slide,thisconstruction acting to hold the notches in engagement with the projectionsbut permitting their disengagement to adjustthe window. The block 6-is cut away at 24 adjacent the side 20,'so that any ice forming on the lower edge-of the side 20 will not freeze to the block 6 to prevent its movement in the slide, the portion 24 being cut back'enough so that the block is free from the edge of the side 20 in all posis tions. When rocking movement is imparted to the lever, the block 6 is forced'upwardly, the notches aredisengaged and the block maybe moved to another position ofadjustment; I

I provide in the :slide a structure which permits endwise movement of the lever, when the window is in closed position I to permit locking the. window. As shown in Fig. 8, a pair of elongated notches of a length equal to the slot 14 the lever, are provided in place ofthe notches 18, to permit longitudinal movement of the block 6 to a limited extent. One of the notches 25 engages each of theprojections 19 so that sliding movement of the block, and accordingly longitudinal movement of the lever is obtained, when the block is in normal-retaining position. These notches 25 are located at that end of the slide 7 whererthe' block is normally located when the window is in closed position. I

In order to prevent longitudinal movement of the lever l -when not desired, I provide a projection orpin 27 on the under side of the lever, which'en'gages with a slot 28 of the base plate (Fig. 3:). This slot is constructed as an arcuate slot, the center of curvature being" the pivot pin 5, and having at one end thereof a radiahslot, the projecting pin 27 engaging at all t mes wlth this slot. The pin as shown in Fig. 3 will be in theradial slot when the window is locked. Longitudinal movement of the lever will move the pin into the arcuateslot, and permit swinging movement of the lever to open or close the window. Itlwill be obvious that while the pin'is' inthe radlal slot there can be no swinging movement of the lever and accordingly the window is held securely closed. Thearcuate slot prevents longitudinal movement of the lever except when the window is in closed position, accordingly' there can be no swinging or rattling of the easement due to the lever sllding along the pivot. A locking meansis further provided for holding the window closed, as'most clearly shown'in Figs. 2, 4 and 5.'- A plate 30 is attached to the sill or frame by any' desired means and supports alparallelplate .31 in spaced relation thereto, aconnectingportion 32 holding the plates in spaced position. A projecting portion or pin 33 on the underside of the lever is engageable with the edge of the plate 31 when the, lever is moved longitudinally. As shown in Fig. 2 the plate is arranged so that. the pin engages the plate in looking position, but upon movement of the lever to unlocked position for opening the window, the pin ismoved beyond the edge of the plate and. permits swinging movement of the lever. The edge of the plate 31 is preferably arranged at an angle to the easement, to give a wedging action'to'the locking means, drawing the easement tightly closed. L V As shown in F ig. 11, I-provide a folding handle for the lever, tospermit it. to be folded outof the waycomprising an extension 35 integral with the leverextending beyond the pivotal connection and a handle 1 portion 36, which is pivotally attached to thisextension as at 37, the surface of the attaching-portion of the handle which engages the surface of the extension being providedwith a projecting pin 38 which is engageable with a notch 39 in the end of the extension when the handle is in operative position; A second projection 40 is provided on the handle 36 engaging in a notch '41 on the side of the extension, theprojection 40 being provided with .a head 42 which engages the under side" of the extension. A longitudinal slot 43 is provided in the extension'at the pivotal connection,

a spring 44 acting to retainthe pivot at one end of the slot, so that the pins 38 and 40 engage their "respective notches. -To fold the handle, it is pulled outwardly, the pin 38.is drawn out-of the notch 39 andthe handle can pivot about the point 37, the end of the extension being preferably rounded to permit free sliding movement of the pin 38 along the end except in locking position. 1 a 1 i .Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 12 and 13, in which I show a more simple structure which is particularly advantageous where screens are not used, as in 'oflice buildings, a lever similar 1 to the lever 1 is pivoted at 51' to the frame and slidably engages thecasement at 52, the slide and retaining structure previously described beingthe same inthis modification. The locking feature 53 may be similar in all respects to the locking mechanism of Figs. 4 and 5 above described. I have provided a morefsimple pivotal connection in this embodiment, this connection comprising a base member 54 attached 'to thesill or frame, a pivot support 55 in parallel spaced relation thereto, and connected thereto by a connecting portion 56. The

pivot support carries thereon a headedpivot p n 57 engaging with a longitudinal slot 58 in the lever. A pin 59 extends downwardly from the lever and engages a notch 60in the plate 55, when the lever is in locked position as in Fig. 12. When the lever is moved longitudinally to unlock it, the 'pin disengages the notch and movesalong the circularedge 61 of the plate, the edge 61 acting to hold the pivot pin 57 at the end of the slot and prevent undesired-endwise movement of the lever along the pivot during opening and closing of the window and also while the window is open, which permits the window to beheld securely and also prevents rattling and undesirable swinging of the window. The head of the pivot pin is held resiliently against the surface of the lever by a lock washer 62, which prevents rattling while permitting desired rocking movement of the lever. I also provide a handle or finger lift 63 attached between the. pivotal connection and the slide construction, thus avoiding any 'extension beyond the pivotal connection. This device "is suitable where a screen willnot interferewith operation of the handle. In this modification, as in the preceding, several of the parts are reversible as, for example, the'sliding block,and the locking member. The pivotal construction and handle of this modification are also reversible. This permits attachment to windows 1 opening to'the right or to the left.

is, .in, the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. The lever 1 is moved longitudinally thereof in' a direction toward the blockfi, that is, in a direction tounlock. the projecting portion 27 from the radial slot 28 and .the pin 33 from the plate 31, the slots 25 permitting the block end of the lever to slide, and the slot 14 permitting the pivot point to slide longitudinally. The handle portion is now' depressed, to rock the lever about the fulcrum 11, raising the outer end of the lever and the block to disengage the notches 25 and'projections 19. The lever is then swung horizontally and the window opens outwardly, the block sliding in the slide 7. When it is opened the desired-amount, the leveris released and the projections 19 engage any set of notches 18 to retain the window in position. Since the pin 27 engages the circular slot, the

' lever isheld against longitudinal movement and noswinging of the window may occur. When the window, is to be closed, the handle is again depressed and swunghorizontally until the window is closed. The lever is then moved longitudinally .in a, direction oppositefto its first motion and to bring the projections 27 and 33-into locking posi tion, the notches 25 in the slide and the slot 14' in the lever also permitting this longitudinal movement. The. handle is folded when the window is in any desired position by pulling longitudinally thereof and turning the handle about its pivot. w

The embodiment shown in Figs. 12 and 13 operates in a similarmanner the finger lift or handle 63 being raised, after having moved the lever longitudinally, thus imparting. the same movement to the block as in the preceding modification. The opening and-closing of the window is accordingly accomplished by a swinging of the lever, the. retaining means acting as above, and locking of the window results. from' similar longitudinal movement of the lever.

f The structure. of the first modification is preferably made of brassvor similar ornamental metal, and is generally used'in residences and the like where appearance is an important factor and where screens are gen erally employed, since this modification per m'its operation without moving the screen." The modificationv of Figs. 12 and 13 is suitable for oflice buildings, factories, ware-J houses and the like, where a satisfactory operative device is desired, but where screens are not generally used.

=It will be readily apparent that the num-j,

ber of notches and projections may vary. A single projectionof the block would op-l erate withthe remainder of the mechanism althoughv a pair of projecting portions pro-v vides best wedging action, the number of elongated notches 25 being at least as great as the number of projections.

Accordingly I have constructed a locking and retaining mechanism for a casement windowwhich consists of; a lever. pivotally connected to.the;frame adjacent. one end andslidably engaging a member mounted onthe sash to permit opening and closing of the window. The sash memberis provided with lugs or notches with which-a portion. of the lever, that is, .the projections on'the block, is selectively engageable to re.- tain the window in adjusted position, the projections being disengageable by upward movementof the end of the lever on which they are (mounted and being engageable-by downward movement, the latter motion being made more positive by spring means engaging axportion of'the slide to assure engagement with the lugs 0rnotches. The lever is provided with a locking means which comprises a locking plate on the frame which is engageable with" aportion of the leverfto prevent movement of the lever when thewindow is closed. This locking is accomplished by a slot in the lever at the pivot point, and by certain of the notches bei-nglengthened or the lugs cut away on the sash, to permit the lever vto move-longitudinally of itself to engage the locking position on the lever with the frame member. An. additional notch is provided adjacent the pivot, intowhich aprojecting portion of the lever extends in locking position, and is locked or unlocked by the same motion as thepreceding locking means, that is, the longitudinal lever movement. .A cam member, the circular slot or" edge ofthe pivot member, "prevents longitudinal movement of the lever except when the window is closed, the end of the cam having a looking notch or slot to lock the window closed. Ialso provide a folding handle construction, if desired, which is mounted on an extension of the lever beyond the pivot. f i

. It should be understood -that:.the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes-all modificationsand equivalents which .fall within the scope of the appended claims"?- Icla'imz "1.:A device for retaining a window frame member and a saslrmember thereforin' position, which comprises a lever slidably engageable with one member and pivotally engageable with the other, a slot in said lever at its pivotal engagement to permit limited longitudinal movement thereof, means to prevent said longitudinal movement except when said sash is in closed position, and means to look said sash in closed position operable by said longitudinal movement of the lever, said locking means comprising a locking element adapted to be mounted on one of the members and engageable with a portion of the lever.

2. A device for retaining a window frame member and a sash member therefor in position, which comprises a lever adapted to engage slidably with one member and pivotally to engage the other, a slot in said lever at said pivotal connection to permit limited longitudinal movement thereof, means to prevent said longitudinal movement except when said sash is in closed position, and means to look said sash in closed position operable by said longitudinal movement of the lever, said locking means being engageable with'a portion of the lever and a folding handle extending beyond the pivotal connection, for operating the lever.

3. Closure locking and operating mechanism comprising a lever, a pivotal mounting with which the lever has a pivotal connection, a slider articulated to the end of the lever, a slide in interfitting relation with the slider, a plurality of cooperating protuberances and recesses provided by the slider and slide, resilient means disposed between a portion of the slide and slider, the pivotal mounting providing a fulcrum for the lever so that the latter may be rocked to stress the resilient means and permit disengagement of the protuberances and recesses whereby the lever may be swung about its connection to the mounting to move the slide in relation to the slider, the resilient means tending automatically to return the protuberances and recesses into interfitting relation when the pressure tending to rock the lever about its fulcrum is released, the pivotal mounting of the lever being arranged to permit longitudinal movement of the lever in one radial direction in relation to its pivotal connection, and means cooperating wit-h a part of the lever and engageable with said part upon longitudinal movement of the lever to hold the lever and the slider in locked position.

4. The combination of a closure operating and locking mechanism with a swinging closure and a fixed frame member to which the closure is pivotally connected, comprising a pivotal mounting upon the frame member. a lever having a pivotal connection with said mounting, a slide upon the closure, a slider articulated to the end of the lever and engaging said slide, fulcrum means assodow and engaging the slider, and a .ciated with said pivotal mounting topermit therocking of the lever, interfitting locking -means provided by the slide and slider, said I locking means being engageable and disengagea-ble in response to rocking movement tudinal movement of the lever in one radial" positionthereof in. relation to its pivotal connection, and a locking element carried upon the frame and engageable witha part ofthe lever upon longitudinal: movement tion. I

5. The 'combmationof a wlndow. frame, a swinging window, and operating and lockthereof to retain the closure in a closed .posi- 5 ing mechanism for the window, said mechanism comprising a lever, a p votal mounting 1 having a pivot pin about 'wh1ch the lever swings, the lever beingslotted to. permit its longitudinal movement in relation .to said pin, the PlVOtfil. mounting providlng an arouate guide with a radial extension, the

ver 1a in a are en. 6 a e witi s i le lv g 3 gaebl l ad gu de whereby the lever is restrainedfrom longitudinal movement'in relation to'its pivot pin except when said part engages the radial extension, a slider articulated to'gth'e end of the lever, a slide securedto the winpart upon the window frameengageable by the lever upon longitudinal movement thereof to hold the lever inlocked position, whereby the window may be firmly held ini its closed position. 7

6. The combination of a window frame, a window pivotally mounted on the frame.

and operating and locking mechanism associated with the window and frame, said mechanism comprising a lever, a pivotal mounting, the lever having an articulated connection with the mounting permitting the swinging of the lever about a fixedaxis and permitting its longitudinal movement When in one-position in relation to said axis, said pivotal mounting and lever being arranged to provide fulcrum means to permit the rocking of the lever, a slider articulated to the end of the lever, a slide receiving the slider, locking means provided by the slide and slider and arranged to retain the slide in fixed position in relation to the slider, said locking means being releasable upon the rocking of the lever about the fulcrum means, and a locking element engageable with a part of the lever between the slider and the pivotal mounting, said element being secured to the window frame and en by the lever may be rocked to disengage.

the locking means and permit movement of the window by the swinging of the lever \10 mounting, the lever having an articulated connection with the mounting permitting .the swinging of the lever about a fixedaxis and permitting its longitudinal movement in relation to said axis, said pivotal mounting and lever beingarranged to provide fulcrum means also to permit the rocking of the lever, a slider articulated to the end of the lever, a slide receiving the slider, locking means provided by the slide and slider and 29 arranged to retain the slide in fixed position v in relation to the slider, said locking means beingreleasable upon the rocking of the lever about the fulcrum means, a locking element engageable with a part associated with the lever, slider and the pivotal mounting, said 7 element being engageable with said part upon longitudinal movement of the lever, whereby the lever may be rocked to disengage the locking means and permit swing- 130 ing movement of the window by a swinging of the lever about its pivotal connection and -whereby the window may be retained in a firmly locked position by engagement of the locking element with said part.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts,

this nineteenth day of November, 1930.

ISAAC W, LITCHFIELD. 

